MWUN Shipping Branch Pressures WACT Terminal to Increase Workers’ Wages, Laments High Cost of Living
Managing Director of WACT Terminal, Mr Courage Obadagbonyi in a handshake with President, Shipping Branch of MWUN, Comrade Olufemi Oluyinka Abass, while Comrade Funmi Fasan and Comrade Boniface Udoh watches
The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Shipping Branch, has called on the management of West African Container Terminals (WACT), Onne, Rivers State, to expedite the signing of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), insisting that doing so would help alleviate the suffering of its members amid the harsh economic climate.
The call was made by the National President of the Maritime Workers Union, Shipping Branch, Comrade Olufemi Oluyinka Abass, during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Managing Director of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria, Mr. Courage Obadagbonyi, last Friday, August 21, 2026, in Onne.
While the visit was largely centred on congratulating Obadagbonyi on his appointment and reaffirming the union’s commitment to industrial harmony, Abass used the occasion to press home the workers’ key demand, raising concerns over the rising cost of living and its impact on union members.
He requested the management’s intervention on the cost of living allowance (COLA) and fast tracking of the signing of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), reiterating that such would help alleviate the suffering of the workers, even as he harped on their resolve for industrial harmony, saying “we are committed to peace and productivity as we believe that all issues are better resolved through dialogue, consultation and negotiation.”
Abass had earlier expressed satisfaction with what he described as WACT’s historic gesture in appointing an indigenous Managing Director, which according to him underscores WACT-APM’s belief in Local Content.
Speaking further, he stated that “on behalf of our Maritime Workers Union President General, Comrade Francis Bunu Abi and the shipping branch, we welcome you our local content Managing Director.”
He averred that it was a proud moment for the union, adding that with Obadagbonyi on the saddle, local content and staff development would be given preference, and insisted that as the workforce that drives WACT operations, they are committed to partnering with management to sustain WACT’s position as a leading container terminal in Nigeria.
“WACT is strong and will be stronger in your tenure and we pledge our full cooperation to ensure that your tenure is a successful one,” Abass noted.
He praised WACT for its level of growth and development, adding that the growth stemmed from a dedicated and committed workforce who have sacrificed day and night to make things work, insisting that with the new leadership, the shipping branch would strengthen the already existing relationship based on mutual respect, dialogue and industrial harmony.
He added that the visit was based on a relationship mindset, as according to him, a motivated, safe and well-supported workforce was a sure way of achieving WACT’s productivity and profitability.
Responding to the union’s demands, the WACT Managing Director, Mr. Courage Obadagbonyi, applauded the Shipping Branch for the visit, saying that he was pleased on behalf of the entire WACT management to receive them.
He promised to look into their demands holistically, insisting that what the management would do is to form a template on the sustainability or otherwise of such demands and approve where necessary so that workers can be focused on their job.
“I don’t believe in ad-hoc kind of a thing but we should have a template and also appraise the sustainability of such demands so that even after my tenure it could also be sustained,” he said.
The WACT boss promised a sustained relationship with the MWUN Shipping Branch and vowed to expedite action to make sure their legitimate demands are met.
Obadagbonyi, who has worked at management level with Lafarge, General Electric, and now as Managing Director of a leading container terminal in the eastern maritime corridor, brings over two decades of experience spanning Finance, Oil and Gas, Energy, Infrastructure, Logistics and Telecommunications to bear for service delivery. He replaced Jeethu Jose on July 1, 2026, as the new Managing Director of WACT-APM Nigeria, which has invested $15 million at Onne since resuming operations in 2006.
In his contribution, the District Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union Shipping Branch, Onne, Comrade Raymond Nwawueze, pledged the loyalty of the entire Onne shipping branch to the management of their various companies.
Nwawueze reiterated the determination of his members to always abide by the work ethics of their organisations, insisting that they have faith in the ongoing negotiations, while advising them to exercise patience that at the end their expectations would be met.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of an award to the new Managing Director of WACT, done by the Deputy President General of MWUN, Comrade Funmilola Fasan.
Others at the event included Chinelo Obienyem, Senior People Business Partner, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria; Nengi Tekena-Opuda, Employee Relations Specialist, WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria; Vice President General MWUN, Comrade Boniface Udoh; Comrade Onoro Kalu, Secretary General, MWUN; District Vice Chairman Comrade Gordons Braid; District Secretary General Comrade Precious Asito; NEC member Comrade Godfrey Nkpornwi; Unit Chairman Comrade Solomon Laaka; and Comrade Paul Otogboro, among others.
